Casino craps with cards

ABSTRACT

A craps game utilizing specially designed “craps cards” on a unique playing surface similar to a blackjack table with a special rail. There are one or two dealers who draw two cards from an automatic shuffler or shoe consisting of at least six decks. Each deck contains 48 cards, eight each of the six different indicia of those six surfaces on a dice. These two cards are wagered and used as though they were the “roll” in a standard craps game. The table surface utilizes a customized layout with the wagering indicia of a standard craps table and played and wagered in the same manner by one to ten players. The layout of the table has the proposition bets in the middle section and the number, field, come, don&#39;t come, pass and don&#39;t pass sections on either side. A specially designed rail system has two barrels for chips and a cushion rail.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

Not applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not applicable

REFERENCE TO A SEQUENCE LISTING, A TABLE, OR A COMPUTER PROGRAM LISTINGCOMPACT DISC APPENDIX

Not applicable

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the invention

This invention relates to games of wagering similar to the game of crapsplayed in casinos, but using special cards and playing field.

Background of this invention goes back in the late 1800's when the gameof craps was introduced using dice.

Casinos have utilized the game of craps since its introduction andprofited quite well. The game is exciting with many variations to thebetting, but is intimidating and confuses many players. Players muststand throughout the playing phase.

Players in a game of craps handle and throw the dice which has led tocheating and other abuses.

In some states, casinos are prevented from using any dice game. As garback as the mid-1940's, there have been various attempts at using a deckof cards to play craps, but none has been successful, until now.

The standard craps table is very large and can accommodate up totwenty-four (24) people, thus requiring four (4) casino personnel tomanage, and even then problems and confusion often occur.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The wagering game contained in this invention utilized all the benefitsof craps and removes all the objectionable aspects. This invention isplayed on a conventional style blackjack table having the sameconfiguration. The layout of the table is usually on felt or a type ofcloth for maximum duration. The indicia on the layout contain all thebetting elements of a standard craps game which includes: pass, don'tpass, field, come, don't come, numbers and all proposition bets. Thesewagering areas are paid the same as a standard craps game.

Cards are used in place of dice. There are 6 cards to a set, and 8 setsto a deck. Each card face is identical to the faces of a die, namely 1dot, 2 dots, 3 dots, 4 dots, 5 dots and 6 dots arranged in the samemanner as on the face of a die. The game is played with at least sixdecks of 48 cards.

The dealer acts in all instances as the “shooter” so no players evertouch the cards. The dealer pulls two cards from an automatic shuffleras the initial throw. If a shoe is used, the dealer will always “burn” afirst card. This pair of cards total is the “come out” roll. Subsequentplay is continued as in regular craps.

Two dealers are normally used, each controlling his side of the tablewith a maximum of 5 players per side. These procedures prevent cheating,confusion, abuse and collusion. After 8 to 16 betting decisions, thesecond dealer returns the cards to the shuffler if used, or the deck isrun to the “cut” card in the case of a shoe being used.

Players may all be able to sit on chairs as in blackjack since the tableutilizes that configuration. A customized rail is used on the perimeterof the table. This rail contains two “barrels” such as a craps rail, forholding the players' chips. There is a cushion behind the barrels forthe players' comfort. Between each barrel playing area is a drink holdersection to divide the barrels and the individual playing area. There isa large space between the barrels and the first betting area, which isthe pass line. No player's hands may infringe into this first bettingarea except between throws, when the dealer indicates betting may bedone.

Objectives of this invention are: overcome the use of dice, reducerisks, reduce confusion, simplifies, make more comfortable and providesthe same playing excitement and rewards as craps.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING

FIG. 1 represents the cards used in this invention.

FIG. 2 represents the layout and indicia used in this invention.

FIG. 3 represents the rail used on the table in this invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The cards used in this invention are shown in FIG. 1. Each card is ofthe exact size as a standard deck of cards. The backs of the cards cancarry individual logos or manufacturer's logo as long as they are allthe same. The front of each card contains a dot or dots measuring ⅝″ indiameter. Each dot is represented on the card in the same configurationas on a standard die.

On opposite corners of each card in FIG. 1, using the upper left andbottom right, is the printed number corresponding to the numbers ofdots. For example, “3” is printed on the card with three dots. Thesecards replace the dice used in the game of craps.

The cards in FIG. 1 have a white background with the dots and numbersbeing in red. The dots and numbers may or may not be outlined in blackto further distinguish them. The cards numbered from 1 to 6 make up aset of cards. Eight sets comprise a deck of 48 cards.

The wagering and play of this invention is carried out on a table orother similar surface which is covered with a layout as in FIG. 2. Thislayout is usually on felt, vinyl or baize cloth or other materialsuitable for the indicia printing. The table is essentially the samesize and configuration as a standard eight-foot wide blackjack table.

The playing surface in FIG. 2 has a rear straight section 100 where thedealers stand, the sides (101) extend ninety degrees (90°) forward fromthe rear edge approximately 18 inches where they form an arcuate edge(102) which forms the front of the table. Areas comprising 101 and 102are the player areas of the table.

From the players' edge 101 and 102 approximately 8 to 10 inches begins aline following the configuration of this table. This line marks theouter border of the pass line 103.

At the center of the table in the area 105 is the proposition bet area.This is a rectangle extending ninety degrees (90°) from the rear dealeredge 100, at about 10 inches from the edge. This area is located exactlyin the middle of the table and divides the table into halves. Allproposition bets are located within this area 105 and comprise the anycraps (106), horn bets (107), any seven (108) and the hardways (109).Bets in this area 105 are paid off by the odds marked in each section.

On either side of the proposition area 105 are those areas for wageringas in a standard craps table. The pass line area 104 is the firstsection following the outline of the players' edges 101 and 102.

Adjacent to the pass line 104 is the don't pass area 110 which followsthe linear placement of the table edges 101 and 102.

To the dealer edge 100 side of the don't pass line, to the side of theproposition area 105 and in an irregular trapezoid is the area 111, thefield area. The field 111 has indicia identical to the field area of acraps table showing the numbers 2, 3, 4, 9, 10, 11 and 12 and thewording “FIELD.” On the 2 is a circle with 2:1 odds posted and on the 12a circle with 3:1 odds written. The field area has printed at theplayers' side wording “ONE HAND ONLY.”

Adjacent to the field area 111 and towards the players' edge 101 is theirregularly shaped trapezoid area 112, the come area.

From the dealers' side and at the corner of the proposition area 105, aline extends to the dealers' edge 100 at the rear of the don't pass 110.Extending forward to the players' edge 102 is a rectangular section 113which comprises the numbers 4, 5, 6, 8, 9, and 10, each in a rectangleof itself These rectangles are separated by lines, and each sectionmarked as stated above. At the dealers' edge of these numbers is anotherline parallel to the rear line of 113, in which the odds of payoff foreach number is located.

In a triangular area between the proposition area 105 and the numbersarea 113 is the don't come area 114.

The area behind the proposition area 105 to the dealers' edge 100 is arectangle 115, where cards are placed when they are “rolled” from theshuffler.

On either side of 115 is a dealer's tray 116, where each dealermaintains the house chips.

Behind the right side dealer tray 116 and behind the dealer's edge 100is optimally a shuffle machine or a shoe 117 where a minimum of 8 decksare placed. If a shoe, then a cut card is placed between ½and ¾ of thedecks and the decks reshuffled when this cut card appears. If anautomatic shuffler is used, after cards from 115 are ready for discard,they are placed in a card holder 118 by the second dealer on the leftside of the table edge 100.

The lines delineating the separate areas are to be in white. The don'tpass and don't come words are to be in black. The come word is to be inred. The proposition cards are to be white background with red dots.Generally, pass, field and number words will be in yellow. All otherwords and numbers to be in white. All colors could be changed tocomplement the general background of the layout which is optimallygreen.

Seating around the player edges 101 and 102 will be equally divided fora maximum of 10 players, optimally 9.

FIG. 3 shows the specially designed rail which surrounds the tabletop.The rear section 200 is flat and extends over table area 100 which isthe dealers' edge.

Two “barrels” 201 are on the inner edge of the rail which are ½ of acircle and allow the players to place chips on edge in the barrel. Thesebarrels are optimally made of stained wood. These barrels 201 and thecushion area 202 extend around the table on the players' sides of 101and 102.

On the outer edge of the barrels 201 is a cushion area 202 extendingover the outer edge and to below the table. This allows the players asoft area to rest. This cushion 202 is optimally a vinyl material over afoam padding.

Between each section of barrels 201 is a trapezoid piece of wood 203with a circular centered area for drinks. This 203 pieces serves todivide individual player's areas, allows for an area for players' drinksand provide for the circular pattern of the rail.

The play and payoffs of wagering is exactly as in the game of craps.Betting is done at the same times as in casino-played craps. But insteadof a player “rolling” the dice, the dealer acts as the players bypulling 2 cards from the shuffler to present the number as though hewere the “shooter” in craps. When paying off a wager, the dealer startson his left and works his way to the right, either paying or collectingbets. When this is complete, he indicates to the other dealer, and whenthe table action is clear, the next pair of cards is removed from theshuffler and play is resumed.

The second dealer removes the cards from the table and places them in acard holder after each decision. After completion of 8 to 16 decisions,when using an automatic shuffler, he returns them to the shuffler. If ashoe is used, the cards stay in the holder until the cut card is removedfrom the shoe.

The present invention may be embodied in other specific forms anddeparting from the central attributes thereof and accordingly, referenceshould be made to all the claims, drawings, specifications andprocedures for the scope of this invention.

Any and all specifications of this invention may be introduced intosoftware and applied to computers or slot machines as though they werepart of this embodiment with all the claims within this invention.

1. A method and accompanying apparatus for playing the game of crapswith a deck of cards that have the same surface features as the sixsurfaces of a die. The numbers are 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6, with dotsrepresenting the number on the card. This allows the game of craps to beplayed in the same manner and with the same rules, with cardssubstituting for dice.
 2. The apparatus for claim 1 are cards, the exactsame size as a standard deck of cards. Each deck consists of 48 cards.The front surface of the card has a number of dots on it correspondingto the 6 different faces of a die. The numbers 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, and 6(depicted on the 6 faces) constitute a set, there being 8 sets to adeck. The upper left corner and lower right corner of each card displaythe Arabic number corresponding to the number of dots. Example: 2 is onthe card with two dots.
 3. The method in claim 1 is the first 2 cardsare removed by the dealer from the shoe or automatic shuffler in claim1, and are used as the “come out” roll, just as in craps.
 4. The methodin claim 1 is subsequent cards removed from the shoe or automaticshuffler by the dealer are used as the “rolls” as in the game of craps.5. All wagering in claim 1 is the same as in a game of craps.
 6. Themethod in claim 1 is the dealer places the used cards in a discard trayafter each roll. After 8 to 16 completed wagers, the dealer returns thecards to the machine, if an automatic shuffler machine is used. If ashoe is used, the shoe is cut as in multiple-deck blackjack and thecards are mixed and reshuffled as in blackjack. The cut card is placedbetween ½ and ¾ of the number of decks used. Discards are left in thediscard tray until the cut card appears.
 7. The method in claim 1 iscontinued, if a shoe is used, the first card out of the shoe prior toeach roll is “burned.”
 8. An apparatus used is a playing surface orlayout used for this wagering game is a tabletop with the same size anddimensional designs as a large blackjack tabletop: flat area in rear fordealers; straight edges on the side and an arced front for the players.9. An apparatus layout design in claim 8 consists of the rectangularproposition bet area in the middle of the table with the same design asthe proposition bet area of a craps table.
 10. An apparatus layoutdesign in claim 8 consists of the rectangular betting areas of numbers4, 5, 6, 8, 9, 10, plus their odds areas on either side of theproposition area and at an angle to this proposition area.
 11. Anapparatus used as the field area in claim 8 is located on each side ofthe table adjacent to the proposition area and between the numbers areaand the “don't pass” line.
 12. An apparatus used as the “come” area inclaim 8 is located adjacent to the field area on each side of the tableand between the numbers and the “don't pass” line.
 13. An apparatus usedas the “don't come” in claim 8 is located on each side of the table in atriangular area between the numbers and the proposition bet area.
 14. Anapparatus used as the pass line in claim 8 is located in a semi-circulararea on the outer limit of the betting area, closest to the playersfollowing the curvature design of the tabletop.
 15. An apparatus used asthe “don't pass” line in claim 8 is located in the same semi-circularpattern as the pass line; adjacent to the pass line on the dealer sideof the pass line.
 16. An apparatus used is the rail on the outer edge.The edge on the player side of the table consists of two barrels placedfront to back as in the rail around a craps table. On the player side ofthese barrels is a rounded cushion, similar to the player's cushion on ablackjack table. The rail overlaps onto the tabletop on the players'side, but is a flush straight edge along the dealers' side.
 17. Anapparatus used in claim 16 is the rail with a drink area trapezoid whichseparates the individual spaces of each player. This is spaced evenly toallow for 9 to 10 players.
 18. An apparatus used is an area for two (2)dealers on the dealers' side of the table, each utilizing his/her ownbanking tray.
 19. The play of this game is the same as craps with wagersand odds being the same. Bets are made by players in the areas of pass,don't pass, come, don't come, field and individual numbers. All odds andpayoffs are the same as craps.